Mechanic Poses as State Drugs Controller, Dupes Baddi Pharma Firm of Lakhs
Baddi: A 22-year-old mechanic allegedly impersonated the State Drugs Controller (SDC), Baddi, and, with the alleged assistance of a former pharmaceutical company employee, duped the firm of lakhs of rupees by promising to facilitate regulatory approvals and seeking payments purportedly towards the senior drug official's personal expenses.
The Barotiwala police have arrested Gurpal Singh (22), a mechanic from Khokhran village in Kalka, and Prince Kumar, a former employee of Gopal Life Sciences (Unit II), in connection with the alleged fraud.
According to the FIR lodged by the company’s General Manager Manoj Kumar on July 30, Prince Kumar had worked with Gopal Life Sciences from March 2025 until June 2026. During this period, he allegedly introduced Gurpal Singh to the company as the State Drugs Controller and claimed that he could arrange completion of the firm's regulatory work in exchange for money.
Prince allegedly provided the company with a mobile phone number, claiming that it belonged to the State Drugs Controller. The company subsequently received multiple calls from the number. The caller allegedly asked Prince to carry out personal errands on behalf of the purported officer and demanded money from the company for various purposes.
The company alleged that it made several payments following these demands. These included ₹25,000 and ₹33,000 in February, followed by a payment of ₹8 lakh in March. The firm also allegedly paid ₹34,000 for vehicle repairs and ₹14,000 towards travel expenses. Another ₹2 lakh was allegedly paid for obtaining approval of a loan licence.
The accused allegedly later demanded an additional ₹7 lakh from the company. The fresh demand prompted the pharmaceutical firm to approach the police, following which the Barotiwala police initiated action in the matter.
SP Baddi Vinod Dhiman said Gurpal Singh was arrested on Monday evening. During his arrest, police allegedly seized ₹50,000 in cash and a vehicle bearing registration number HP64A-7859, which was allegedly used in the commission of the crime. Prince Kumar was arrested by the police on Tuesday.
According to Dhiman, Gurpal allegedly acted as an accomplice of Prince Kumar. Both accused are residents of Khokhran village in Kalka. Prince Kumar holds a D Pharmacy diploma and had been terminated from Gopal Life Sciences in June this year.
The police are now examining the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the regulatory certificates connected with the case. Investigators are also looking into whether any public officials were involved in the alleged activities. The investigation is continuing.
The Tribune reports that the mechanic allegedly posed as the top drug official and, along with the former pharmaceutical company employee, allegedly collected lakhs of rupees from the pharma firm on the pretext of facilitating regulatory approvals and meeting the purported officer's personal expenses. The report also detailed the alleged payments, the subsequent ₹7 lakh demand, arrests of both accused, recovery of ₹50,000 and the vehicle, Prince Kumar's D Pharmacy qualification and termination from the company, as well as the police probe into the regulatory certificates and possible involvement of public officials.
The case remains under investigation, with police examining the alleged roles of both accused and the circumstances surrounding the regulatory approvals. The allegations against the accused are subject to the outcome of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
